Why are musical scales like this?

Question

For example, when we play major scales, we play the E flat scale, but the key is actually called A flat. Why is this so?

Answer 1

Certain instruments have to transpose their key.

Its just something youll have to get use to.

It has to do with the way the instrument sounds.

For example a clarinets F doesnt sound like a flutes F.

Answer 2

Sounds like you're a horn player (or possibly English Horn, but that's a stretch...). The French horn is typically pitched in F - this means that when the horn plays a written F it actually sounds like a C.

To use your example, you are playing a written E-flat major scale but it sounds like A-flat major. Written keys are not the same as sounding (or "concert pitch") keys.

Answer 3

Every minor scale has a corresponding major scale, if that's what you're referring to.  There are also other modes in between them.

Answer 4

maybe cause they are meant to be like that

Answer 5

being a musician, it seems you are describing transposition.  the keys are based on the piano, if you are playing a different instrument in a different key, the real name of the scale will be different.  for instance, i play a clarinet, and when we play an B flat major scale for warm up, we are really playing it in the key of C, based on the piano.  at least, i think so, its been a couple years, all i know is one is b flat and one is c, you may just be playing a different instrument, if this is not what you are asking, then re-write the question so that i can be of better service.

Answer 6

What?

When I play an Eb scale it's in the key of Eb

B E and A are flatted. Is that what you're getting at? The key is called Eb; the name comes from the natural key progression.

For flat keys, the second to the last flat symbol in the key signature is the name of the key.

In order for the Major scale to follow the "whole step whole step half step whole step whole step whole step half step" format that's where the flats end up.

Likewise, with sharp scales; the name of the key is the next note higher than the last sharp is the name of the key.